The mystery in mystery shopper refers to the work that they do; evaluating service, cleanliness, timeliness and more under the radar. Mystery shoppers, in the main, are hidden in plain sight. This gives them the illusion of being as mysterious as the work they do. In actuality neither is mysterious; after all, the work is generally straightforward and the shoppers are just “regular people” doing a task. However, many new shoppers wonder what makes a great mystery shopper and that’s definitely a good thing to contemplate when you’re starting off.
There are certain inherent factors that help make the difference: an innate attention to detail and a great memory, for instance. These make a solid base to build on. But it is a shopper’s commitment to doing a good job that really matters most, as in most lines of work. Some shoppers have a natural flair for language and communication that is extremely useful in the reporting component of the work. Other shoppers are extremely punctual and great with time management, which is helpful when it comes to meeting due dates and deadlines. Overall, like with any type of work, it’s about making the most of your talents and building on them to fill the gaps.
The mystery shoppers, who stand out most to our schedulers, are those who are responsive to questions, communicate with clarity, work well with deadlines, write detailed reports and follow instructions carefully. These are all skills that can be learned and honed over time. Each assignment is another chance to learn and grow, and the mystery shoppers who take that opportunity to find ways to improve tend to be the most successful. Listen carefully to the advice of schedulers and feedback from editors, then you’ll soon find the best ways to put your talents to use.
Overall schedulers appreciate shoppers, who are flexible and see their work as collaboration with the scheduler. The success of the scheduler hinges on the success of the mystery shopper, after all. Shoppers, who are mindful of this, tend to deliver the best results. A professional outlook that extends beyond a single mystery shop at a time is a powerful attitude for any mystery shopper in it for longevity in the industry.
Invariably it’s the mystery shoppers, who truly enjoy the work, who are the best in the business. Of course, the vast majority of shoppers are in it to make extra cash first and foremost, and that’s great. But, finding enjoyment in the work allows you to perform it at a better level, because work that brings joy is simply easier to complete. Mystery shopping is wonderful for so many different people in so many different ways, that it’s simple to see why so many are involved in it.
Whether you have a love of writing, enjoy interpersonal interactions, take pleasure in putting observation skills to work, are happiest with a flexible schedule or adore being a road warrior, mystery shopping can be your passion.
A great mystery shopper’s favorite mottos are likely to be “attitude is everything” and “10% inspiration, 90% perspiration”.
This is translated into punctuality, communication, openness, flexibility and the capacity to blend in. Those are the building blocks of a great mystery shopper and these are behaviors anybody can learn!
The building blocks of a great mystery shopping company are important to Pinnacle too, which is why we provide knowledgeable support, friendly staff interactions and great organization.
